How to play Russian Solitaire
A tough Yukon variant: all 52 cards in the tableau, but building is by suit, not by color.
History & origin of Russian Solitaire
Yukon is a variant of Klondike and shares its naming inspiration: the Yukon river and territory in Canada, scene of the 1896–1899 gold rush. It carries the same aura of adventure in the frozen north that named the world's most famous solitaire.
One rule change makes it quite a different game: there is no stock to draw from — all 52 cards start in the tableau — and you can move any face-up card, carrying everything on top of it, even if it is not in order. That opens up far more possibilities each move.
Because it doesn't depend on the luck of a draw pile and leaves almost everything in view, Yukon is a favorite of planners — and it inspired even tougher variants, like Russian and Alaska, which build by suit.
Facts about Russian Solitaire
- The name comes from the same gold-rush region that named Klondike — the Yukon territory in Canada.
- There is no luck of the draw: all 52 cards are in view (minus the ones dealt face down), so losing is almost always a planning error.
- You move groups of cards even out of order — only the bottom card must land legally; that is what sets Yukon apart from Klondike.
- Russian and Alaska are Yukon's “cousins” that build by suit (not by color), and are much harder.
How to play Russian Solitaire step by step
- Goal: bring all 52 cards to the four foundations by suit, Ace to King — a tougher Yukon.
- In the tableau, stack down by the SAME suit (not by color) — that is what makes it demanding.
- As in Yukon, you move a group of cards even out of order: the bottom card must land on a card of the same suit, one rank higher.
- Face-down cards flip up when they reach the top; use the movable groups to dig them out.
- Empty columns only take Kings.
- Building by suit leaves few placements — plan each block move carefully.